Bell Launches FCX-001, the Helicopter of the Future

Bell Helicopter’s FCX-001 looks like it flew straight out of a sci-fi film.

Unveiling the concept for the chopper of the future at the Heli-Expo 2017 back in March, the company executed on its vision by bringing together a team of engineers and graphic designers. And six months later, the team came up with the breathtaking results.

The chopper is full of a number of futuristic amenities and features. A new anti-torque system in the helicopter’s tail section is meant to up the ante on maneuverability, safety, and take the often overpowering noise of the tail rotors out of the equation. This is powered by a hybridized propulsion system that makes for much easier piloting.

(Bell Helicopter)(Bell Helicopter)

The chopper’s exteriors are made out of sustainable, sleeker materials, while its interiors can be customized to a potential buyer’s preference.

As for the main rotor blades, they look a heck of a lot like an old G.I. Joe vehicle. The blades themselves can actually “morph,” in order to deal with a variety of flying conditions, and the chopper can also land on a number of different surfaces, given its nontraditional landing gear.

(Bell Helicopter)(Bell Helicopter)

In the cockpit, there’s room for just a single pilot, who controls the aircraft using augmented reality. Best of all, the passenger seats also come equipped with augmented reality gear—for entertainment options like watching movies or for conducting business via live video conference.

No word yet on what it would retail for. For more on Bell Helicopter, click here.